A Portion of Sales from this Seasonal Ale Will Benefit Local Charities Nationwide

It’s time to extinguish your thirst and give back to local heroes and charities as Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery announced today the return of its popular Fire Chief Ale. The national casual dining restaurant known for its distinctive selection of craft brewed beers celebrates its 25th anniversary with the brewery’s largest tapping party of the year, beginning Feb. 16 through April 17.

For every pint of Fire Chief Ale sold, Rock Bottom will donate $.25 to local fire departments and other charities in the communities in which its restaurants operate. The company has raised more than $2 million in donations since the program’s inception, giving back to charities such as the Denver Fire Fighters Burn Foundation, Firefighters Survive Alive, 100 Club of Chicago and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“We are very excited to bring back our Fire Chief Ale and seasonal menu items to Rock Bottom in celebration of fire fighters across the country. Our brewers and fans alike look forward to this time of year and tapping this very special beer for nearly 20 years,” said Stan Frankenthaler, chief officer of food, beverage and strategic supply for CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Inc. “This program is near and dear to our hearts and a true testament to the brand’s culture of helping local heroes and charities in the communities we serve.”

As part of the promotion, Rock Bottom’s local brewers will create their own take on this classic Fire Chief Ale recipe, which is a medium-bodied, auburn colored ale that gets its sweet side from the caramel and crystal malts, but also picks up a little toasty character for balance. The hand selected hops from the Pacific Northwest lend a crisp and refreshing finish. Additionally, guests can enjoy a limited-time selection of seasonal menu items that pair well with Fire Chief Ale, including:

End your meal with a Rock Bottom classic, Carrot Cake, which features two layers of sweet and decadent carrot cake served on caramel sauce with cream cheese and butter frosting surrounded by toasted walnuts. For additional details about Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, please visit www.rockbottom.com.

Rock Bottom Restaurant and Breweries are polished casual dining establishments featuring excellent service, high-quality, moderately priced food and a distinctive selection of micro-brewed and specialty beers served in a comfortable, hospitable atmosphere. The Rock Bottom menu features a wide variety of items ranging from classic favorites like Ball Park Pretzels and Brewery Nachos, to innovative dishes like Classic Mac ‘N Chicken, Beer-Battered Fish and Chips, and Bacon Cheddar Burger. Rock Bottom operates in 18 states from coast to coast.

CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Inc. is the largest craft brewery restaurant operator in the country with nearly 200 franchised and company-owned restaurants primarily operating under the Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants and Rock Bottom Restaurants & Breweries brands. As a leader in the casual dining segment, CraftWorks also operates strong regional brands, including ChopHouse and Big River, and employs more than 12,000 people throughout the U.S. All of CraftWorks’ restaurant brands have innovative menus with made-from-scratch food and a vast selection of unique craft beer, as well as unbeatable service and loyalty programs that tout over a half-million active members. Based in Broomfield, Colo., CraftWorks is not only committed to serving its loyal guests, but also the communities in which its restaurants operate. In 2000, the CraftWorks Foundation was formed and has contributed millions of dollars, positively impacting communities throughout the country. For additional information about CraftWorks, the foundation and its craft brewery restaurant brands, please visit www.craftworksrestaurants.com.